Gastroparesis

Other Names : Delayed gastric emptying, Food stagnation
Gastroparesis is a condition in which the muscles in your stomach don't function normally. Ordinarily, strong muscular contractions propel food through your digestive tract. But in gastroparesis, the muscles in the wall of your stomach work poorly or not at all. This prevents your stomach from emptying properly. Gastroparesis can interfere with digestion, cause nausea and vomiting, and cause problems with blood sugar levels and nutrition. There is no cure for gastroparesis. Making changes to your diet may help you cope with gastroparesis signs and symptoms, but that's not always enough. Gastroparesis medications may offer some relief, but some can cause serious side effects.
See also :

• Indigestion
• Bloating
• Digestive Disorders

Causes

• Damage or malfunction of the vagus nerve : The vagus nerve is actually a pair of nerves that run down from your brain stem, wrap around various organs, and end in your abdominal area. The vagus nerve helps to regulate heartbeat, control muscle movement, keep you breathing and keep your digestive tract in working order--including contracting the muscles of the stomach and intestines to move food along.So if it's not working right...your stomach can be lacking the muscle power it needs to push food through.
• Diabetes--which can cause vagus nerve damage
• H. pylori infection in the stomach
• Medications (like anticholinergics and narcotics) that slow contractions in the GI tract
• Surgery on the stomach or abdominal area
• Viral infection
• Autoimmune diseases
• Food intolerance : Delayed gastric emptying has been tied to gluten intolerance, and that may have something to do with it. Also, you may want to try doing an elimination diet to see if your symptoms improve when eliminating any class of foods: food intolerances (not just gluten) can wreak havoc on your system, as can food allergies. (By the way, if you have a lot of allergies, that too can be a contributing factor.)
• Nervous system disorders like Parkinson's
• Fluoride : you'll want to see about possible fluoride intolerance. As uncommon as it is, fluoride is known to cause a delay in gastric emptying and for some people with GP eliminating this makes all the difference. Avoid drinking anything other than distilled water, use a fluoride-less tooth paste (and floss, a lot), peel all your fuits and veggies, eat organic foods whenever possible, and don't drink teas or juices from concentrate. This should help you see whether your GP is food related.

Home remedies

• Natural herbs such as ginger are very good in relieving the stomach spasm. They can also help you get rid of the nausea. It also helps in stimulating digestion.
• Digestive Enzymes : Supplementation with a high quality digestive enzyme supplement can also be very helpful with gastroparesis (and other digestive issues).
• Apple cider vinegar has also been shown to help the digestive process. Mix 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water and drink it 15 to 20 minutes before a meal.
• If you do eat food, try and take this in smaller amounts. Eating a lot will just worsen the condition.
• Shatavari is an Indian herb used in aryuvedic medicine for dyspepsia, and which has been shown to work almost as well as domperidone.
• Triphala is believed to increase gastric emptying and possesses many antimicrobial properties.
• Heat on your stomach. In Chinese medicine, heat enhances flow and may help move things along. Look for chinese herbs against food stagnation.
• Chew your food well.
• Chiropractic treatment : The nerves along your spinal cord are closely tied with the vagus nerve, which wraps around your digestive organs. So having something awry with your spine can actually affect your digestion. Many people have gotten tremendous relief from acid reflux (and other digestive conditions) with chiropractic adjustments.
• Lipoic acid : This is especially helpful for diabetes-induced gastroparesis. Lipoic acid helps liver function and regulation of blood sugar, plus it also happens to be an outstanding antioxidant.
• Biofeedback is very likely a good way for you to begin the healing process if the condition is due to a nerve issue, whether that be autonomic dysfunction of the vagus nerve or autonimic neuropathy, or even just stress. Yoga, qigong, and t'ai ch'i are also extremely good for helping this.
• Acupuncture : while acupuncture isn’t a cure, it is all about enhancing flow and movement in your body. Many patients have found that acupuncture can help move food through the digestive tract and bring relief from the pain, bloating, nausea, and emotional symptoms associated with gastroparesis.
• Diet change : In some cases, you may have to switch to liquid diets (soup and smoothies) to deal with the condition. There are food stuffs that are said to be good dealing with Gastroparesis, for instance, chicken noodle soup. You can survive on these before you are ready to eat solid food stuffs again.
• Vitamin D plays a key role in the health of your enteric nervous system, and without adequate vitamin D, your immune, digestive and neurological health suffer. Unfortunately, it’s also a common deficiency, especially this time of year because people are not out in the sun.
• Melissa and Peppermint are also offer Gastroparesis natural treatment .They help in the digestion of foods to stop it from being stuck in the stomach.
• Another herb that can be very effective is lavender. It plays the same roles as ginger and will also help in calming your nerves.
• Ensure that you avoid fatty foods as much possible. These kinds of foods are part of the main causes of Gastroparesis, follow a GERD diet, as this will help your stomach emptying time by decreasing the amount of the hormone produced by your system which tells your stomach not to pump. (Believe it or not, a hormone actually paralizes your stomach for a little while after eating fat. If you have GP you DON'T want this happening to you.) Also, increase the amount of protein you eat, in the form of lean proteins: this helps prevent heartburn and GERD.
• You should also increase on your fluid intake. Take plenty of water to help you with the indigestion.
• Aim to get enough calories, which can be difficult with this condition. While fats in solid foods may be hard to digest, you may find that you can tolerate fats in a liquid or softened form such as full fat milk or nut butters.
• Food rich in fibers may also not be good for people with this condition. Ensure that you eat a well balanced diet of foods that are easily digested.
• You should also avoid eating very large portions of foods that will make your stomach feel too full. Your doctor or dietitian may prescribe six small meals a day instead of three large ones. If less food enters the stomach each time you eat, it may not become overly full. In more severe cases, a liquid or pureed diet may be prescribed.
• Eat more of your meals earlier in the day. Stop eating a few hours before you wind down for bedtime.
• There are also natural remedies for Gastroparesis for diabetics. Most of these remedies require a change of diet. You will have to eat regular small portions of food or a liquid diet to control your blood sugars. You will also need to be very keen about your insulin.
• Movement helps move your food along. Take a not-too-vigorous walk after eating to help the process.
• Do whatever it takes to manage your stress. Stress and emotional upsets play a huge role in this condition. Acupuncture can be a big help here, but you can also meditate, visualize, take a yoga class, or go fishing—whatever works to calm your frazzled nerves. Your stomach will thank you for it.

Warnings

If you have Gastroparesis, you need to get treatment. This condition may not seem life threatening but it can actually cause you very serious health complications apart from the major discomforts. The food in your stomach will start fermenting therefore creating grounds for a buildup of bacteria. This condition can also worsen diabetic conditions if untreated. Try the natural remedies for Gastroparesis and manage the condition in an easy natural way. You can also visit your doctor and seek medical advice on other home remedies that you can use.

Medical Disclaimer

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.